Man Is Denied Bail in Deaths Of 3 Children

But Mason also said a therapist had been working with Mark Castillo for six months. At the hearing, Mason told Amy Castillo that the therapist "suggests that he has difficulties for which he is still seeking treatment and they do impact on some areas of his life." But, Mason said, "the difficulties do not pose any threat or danger to the children."

An expert in killings of children, Richard J. Gelles, said he is sympathetic to the challenges faced by judges and psychologists involved in such cases.

"Psychiatrists can't predict the ones who do this without making a lot of false positives," said Gelles, dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, whose books include "The Book of David: How Preserving Families Can Cost Children's Lives."

"The trouble is that hindsight is perfect," Gelles said. He added that a lot of child custody fights coming before judges turn nasty, with futures difficult to predict.

The Castillos had lived together in a brick split-level house from 2001. On Tuesday, cars packed the driveway of the home. A sign posted on the door asked for respect for Amy Castillo's privacy.

Staff writer Daniel de Vise contributed to this report. Morse and de Vise reported from Montgomery County.